Composite fitness machine

ABSTRACT

A composite fitness machine is provided which is readily adapted to serve as a single integrated device for simulating a walking, stair climbing, and cross country skiing exercise, which can be chosen by a user as desired. The device has right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The platforms are each suspended from suspension frames provided on an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise with the platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular links. The platforms can also be arranged so that they are alternately pivoted to simulate a stair climbing exercise. Furthermore, the platforms can also be fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a composite fitness machine which is readily adapted to serve as a single integrated device for simulating a walking, stair climbing, and cross country skiing exercise, which can be chosen by a user as desired.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] Examples of conventional fitness machines include the one shown in FIG. 13, which is provided with a piece of wide endless belt B to be walked on, the endless belt B being driven by the impact of the user's tread to simulate a walking exercise. Another example is shown in FIG. 14, in which a pair of foot paddles S is alternately trodden to simulate a stair climbing exercise. Another example is shown in FIG. 15, in which a pair of foot paddles S is swingably suspended with a pair of parallel links T to be alternately moved back and forth to simulate a cross country skiing exercise. In a combined fitness machine shown in FIG. 16A, the pair of foot paddles S is provided on the endless belt B and is alternately trodden to simulate a stair climbing exercise. The device is also available to simulate a walking exercise as shown in FIG. 16B, in which the aforementioned foot paddles S are individually folded upwardly to be retracted.

[0005] Many of the fitness machines of the aforementioned types are used indoors at home, thus being required to provide a sufficient performance of these types of bodily exertion and to be compact in size. However, many of the aforementioned conventional fitness machines are provided with a single function and thus a single device cannot provide the performance of different types of bodily exertion. Therefore, a user who would wish to simulate other exercises would have to purchase discrete dedicated fitness machines one after another which were provided with the functions for simulating the exercises the user desired. Consequently, this would lead to not only additional expenditures but also to storage problems in a household environment. In addition, the combined fitness machine of the aforementioned conventional type was too heavy to be readily moved or stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention was developed to solve the aforementioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a composite fitness machine which provides two or more types of exercise by means of a single device, improved ease of use and compactness, and reduced weight.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine is provided which comprising right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The front end portions of said right and left endless foot platforms are rotatably affixed to any one of a base and an upright frame provided vertically thereto. The right and left endless foot platforms can be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise. In addition, the platforms are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine comprises parallel links each swingably affixed to an upright frame affixed vertically to a base. Right and left foot paddles are each attached to lower end portions of parallel links to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. The paddles can be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a composite fitness machine is provided with right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt. The platforms are each suspended from an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. This is done with said right and left endless foot platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular links. The right and left endless foot platforms can also be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise. In addition, the platforms can be fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.

[0010] As describe above, the arrangement of the present invention makes it possible to provide a composite fitness machine which provides two or more types of exercise by means of a single device, improved ease of use and compactness, and reduced weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment according to the present invention,

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,

[0013]FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 3A being a side view thereof and FIG. 3B being a plan view thereof,

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3A with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,

[0015]FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are views illustrating a seventh embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 5A being a side view thereof, and FIGS. 5B and 5C being explanatory views showing the action of a switching lever,

[0016]FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 5A, FIG. 6A being a side view thereof with a stair climbing exercise being simulated, and FIG. 6B being a cross sectional view showing an example of use of a helical spring,

[0017]FIGS. 7A and 7B are views illustrating a twelfth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 7A being a side view thereof, and FIG. 7B being a plan view thereof,

[0018]FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 7, with a cross-country skiing exercise being simulated,

[0019]FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 7, with a stair climbing exercise being simulated,

[0020]FIGS. 10A and 10B are views illustrating a thirteenth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 10A being a side view thereof and FIG. 10B being a plan view thereof,

[0021]FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 10A, with a walking exercise being simulated,

[0022]FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory views illustrating the action of the stair climbing exercise being simulated in the embodiment of FIG. 10A,

[0023]FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a conventional fitness machine,

[0024]FIG. 14 is an explanatory view illustrating another example of a conventional fitness machine,

[0025]FIG. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating still another example of a conventional fitness machine, and

[0026]FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory views illustrating yet another example of a conventional fitness machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027]FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a third embodiment according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is pivotably affixed the front end portion of each of movable frames 26, 27 at a lower portion of an upright frame 25 mounted vertically to a front end portion of a base 24. There are rotatably mounted a pair of rollers (not shown) to each of the movable frames 26, 27. Endless belts 28, 29 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers, respectively. The aforementioned movable frames 26, 27, the rollers, and the endless belts 28, 29 constitute a right and left endless foot platform R.

[0028] Each upper end portion of a pair of load resistance cylinders 30, 31 is affixed to the aforementioned upright frame 25, and lower ends thereof are affixed to the front portions of the aforementioned movable frames 26, 27, respectively.

[0029] Reference numeral 32 designates a swing rod adapted to swing vertically about a spindle 32 a oriented laterally and transversely. The right and left edge portions thereof abut against the aforementioned movable frames 26, 27 on the right and left, being adapted to actuate alternately the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R up and down. The aforementioned swing rod 32 is provided to be vertically movable by means of an actuation rod 33 and is coupled to the lower end portion of a coupler rod 34. The upper end portion of the coupler rod 34 is coupled to the edge portion of an actuation rod 35 which is pivotably affixed to the aforementioned upright frame 25. The aforementioned swing rod 32 is adapted to be operatively moved up and down by latching an operation rod 35 a to or unlatching it from a latch plate 35 b.

[0030] The third embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. Incidentally, with this arrangement, the movable frames 26, 27 of the right and left endless foot platforms R are fixed to the base 24 by means of locking means 36. Moreover, the endless belts 28, 29 of the right and left endless foot platforms R are operatively associated with flywheels 37.

[0031] Releasing the aforementioned locking means 36 and operatively latching the aforementioned operation rod 35 a to the latch plate 35 b would cause the right and left endless foot platforms R to be raised from the base 24 as shown in FIG. 2, making it possible to thereby simulate a stair climbing exercise. Incidentally, the aforementioned endless belts 28, 29 are fixed by means of a descending tread stopper 33 a provided on the aforementioned actuation rod 33.

[0032]FIGS. 3A and 3B are views illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The front end of each of movable frames 39, 40 is pivotably affixed at the front portion of a base 38. The movable frames 39, 40 are provided rotatably with a pair of rollers 41, 42, respectively. Endless belts 43, 44 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers 41, 42, respectively. The aforementioned movable frames 39, 40, the rollers 41, 42, and the endless belts 43, 44 constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R. Reference numeral 45 designates a handgrip upright frame.

[0033] Reference numeral 46 designates a pulley, which is provided to be movable by means of a spiral shaft 47 in the direction shown by the arrow. A wire 48 passes over the pulley 46, the both ends of the wire 48 being coupled to actuating pieces 39 a, 40 a provided on the movable frames 39, 40, respectively. Incidentally, the aforementioned pulley 46 is adapted to allow the right and left endless foot platforms R to be adjustably subjected to load resistance, that is, to treading resistance thereto. Reference numeral 49 designates locking means, reference numerals 43 and 44 designate endless belts, and reference numeral 50 designates flywheels.

[0034] The fourth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. In addition, suppose that the aforementioned locking means 49 is released and the aforementioned spiral shaft 47 is rotated to cause the aforementioned pulley 46 to move rearwards (in the direction shown by the arrow). In this case, for example as shown in FIG. 4, the actuating piece 40 a will be pulled by means of the wire 48 to cause the movable frame 40 integrated therewith to be pivoted upwardly. With this arrangement, the stair climbing exercise can be simulated. Incidentally, adjustment of displacement of the pulley 46 to be produced by the aforementioned spiral shaft 47 would make it possible to adjust the amount of tread onto the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R.

[0035]FIGS. 5A to 5C are views illustrating a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The front portion of each of movable frames 77, 78 is pivotably affixed to an upright piece 76 a provided vertically at the front portion of a base 76 via a mounting axle 76 b. The movable frames 77, 78 are provided rotatably with a pair of rollers 79, 80, respectively. Endless belts 81, 82 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers 79, 80, respectively. The aforementioned movable frames 77, 78, the rollers 79, 80, and the endless belts 81, 82 constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R.

[0036] Reference numeral 83 designates a switching lever which is affixed to the aforementioned upright piece 76 a and which is elastically pressed in the counterclockwise direction by means of springs 83 a. As can be seen in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the switching lever 83 is provided with a cam piece 83 b, being adapted to actuate a keeper lever 84 mounted to the aforementioned movable frames 77, 78. Incidentally, FIG. 5B illustrates a spiral spring 87, which is interposed between the movable frames 77, 78 of the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R and the aforementioned mounting axle 76 b. The spiral spring 87 is adapted to elastically press the endless foot platforms R in the counterclockwise direction in place of or in conjunction with the aforementioned springs 83 a.

[0037] The seventh embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, a user is allowed to simulate a walking exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, pivoting the aforementioned switching lever 83 in the counterclockwise direction would cause the rear portions of the right and left endless foot platforms R to be raised by means of the springs 83 a. This also causes the cam piece 83 b of the aforementioned switching lever 83 to be dislodged from the keeper lever 84, and a keeper portion 84 a to be pressed elastically against the aforementioned endless belts 81, 82 by means of a spring 84 b. Consequently, it is made possible to simulate a stair climbing exercise on the right and left endless foot platforms R.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrating a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, there are integrally provided suspension frames 139, 140 generally in parallel to a base 137 on the upper end portion of an upright frame 138, which is vertically provided on the front end portion of the base 137. Suspension rods 141, 142 are suspended swingably from the suspension frames 139, 140, respectively. There are provided handgrips 141 a, 142 a each integrated with the upper portions of the upper end of the suspension rods 141, 142.

[0039] The front end portions of movable frames 143, 144 are pivotably affixed to the lower end portions of the aforementioned suspension rods 141, 142 via spindles 141 b, 142 b, respectively. There are rotatably provided a pair of rollers 145, 146 at the both end portions of the movable frames 143, 144, respectively. Endless belts 147, 148 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers 145, 146, respectively. The aforementioned movable frames 143, 144, the rollers 145, 146, and the endless belts 147, 148 constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R.

[0040] Reference numerals 149 and 150 designate second suspension rods, the upper end portions of which are pivotably affixed to the aforementioned suspension frames 139, 140, respectively. The lower end portions of the aforementioned second suspension rods 149, 150 are pivotably coupled to one end portions of reversible rods 151, 152, respectively. The other end portions of the reversible rods 151, 152 are pivotably affixed to the rear portions of the aforementioned movable frames 143, 144, respectively.

[0041] The upper end portions of a pair of load resistance cylinders 153 a, 153 b are affixed to the aforementioned upright frame 138, and the lower end portions thereof are affixed to the front portions of the aforementioned movable frames 143, 144, respectively.

[0042] Reference numeral 155 designates a swing rod, the right and left edge portions of which are in contact with the aforementioned movable frames 143, 144, respectively, and which is adapted to move alternately the aforementioned right and left endless foot platforms R up and down. The aforementioned swing rod 155 is provided to be movable up and down by means of an actuation rod 156. Reference numeral 156 a designates an operation rod, 156 b designates a latch plate, and 156 c designates a fixing portion. In addition, reference numeral 157 designates locking means for the endless belts 147, 148, and reference numeral 158 designates flywheels.

[0043] The twelfth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the right and left endless belts 147, 148 fixed by the locking means 157 provided on the base 137 are released and the endless belts 147, 148 are operatively associated with the flywheels 158 to allow a user to simulate a walking exercise. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 25, the rear portions of the aforementioned endless foot platforms R are raised, the aforementioned reversible rods 151, 152 are reversed, and the endless foot platforms R are arranged in a generally horizontal configuration. This allows a user to reciprocate the right and left foot alternately to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the aforementioned reversible rods 151, 152 are put back to where they were and the actuation rod 156 is pivoted upwardly by means of the aforementioned operation rod 156 a to stop the descending phase of the step by means of a stopper 156 d. The spindles 141 b, 142 b are also fixed by means of the aforementioned fixing portion 156 c to prevent the right and left endless foot platforms R from moving back and forth. The user is thereby allowed to simulate a stair climbing exercise.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrating a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, there are integrally provided suspension frames 161, 162 generally in parallel to a base 159 on the upper end portion of an upright frame 160, which is vertically provided on the front end portion of the base 159. A pair of first suspension rods 163, 164 and a pair of second suspension rods 165, 166 are suspended swingably in parallel to each other from the suspension frames 161, 162, respectively.

[0045] The lower end portions of the aforementioned first suspension rods 163, 164 are pivotably affixed to the front portionsofmovableframesl67, 168, respectively. On the other hand, the lower end portions of the aforementioned second suspension rods 165, 166 are pivotably coupled to one ends of reversible rods 169, 170, respectively. The other ends of the reversible rods 169, 170 are pivotably affixed to the middle portions of the aforementioned movable frames 167, 168.

[0046] The aforementioned suspension frames 161, 162 are provided with load resistance cylinders 171, 172, respectively, and the lower end portions thereof are affixed to the aforementioned movable frames 167, 168.

[0047] The both ends of the aforementioned movable frames 167, 168 are rotatably provided with a pair of rollers 173, 174, respectively. Endless belts 175, 176 are tensely wound up being stretched between the pair of rollers 173, 174, respectively. The aforementioned movable frames 167, 168, the rollers 173, 174, and the endless belts 175, 176 constitute the right and left endless foot platforms R. Incidentally, reference numeral 177 designates locking means, for the endless belts 175, 176, and reference numeral 178 designates flywheels.

[0048] The thirteenth embodiment is arranged as described above. Thus, with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the right and left foot can be alternately reciprocated back and forth to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the aforementioned reversible rods 169, 170 are reversed to cause the right and left endless foot platforms R to incline. Then, the locking means 177 is released to cause the endless belts 175, 176 to be rotatable. The endless belts 175, 176 are operatively associated with the flywheels 178. This makes it possible for a user to simulate a walking exercise. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the aforementioned endless belts 175, 176 fixed by the aforementioned locking means 177 are released and the movement thereof is locked. Fixing pins 169 a, 170 a are inserted therein to provide a lower limit to the descending step phase. This makes it possible to simulate a stair climbing exercise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composite fitness machine comprising right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt, front end portions of said right and left endless foot platforms being rotatably affixed to any one of a base and an upright frame provided vertically to the base, wherein said right and left endless foot platforms are arranged so as to be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise, and said right and left endless foot platforms are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise.
 2. A composite fitness machine wherein parallel links are each swingably affixed to an upright frame affixed vertically to a base, and right and left foot paddles are each attached to lower end portions of parallel links to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise, and said right and left foot paddles are arranged so as to be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercise.
 3. A composite fitness machine wherein right and left endless foot platforms each comprising a movable frame, a roller, and an endless belt are each suspended from an upright frame affixed vertically to a base in order to simulate a cross-country skiing exercise with said right and left endless foot platforms being suspended in a generally horizontal configuration by means of parallel links or triangular links, said right and left endless foot platforms are arranged so as to be alternately pivoted in order to simulate a stair climbing exercises, and said right and left endless foot platforms are fixedly inclined slightly rearwards to be flush with each other in order to simulate a walking exercise. 